The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has insisted that implementing environmentally-friendly measures can make “good business sense” for retailers.
A new report published by the industry body this week revealed that retailers had exceeded targets set four years ago to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, also cutting transport carbon emissions by 23 per cent between 2008 and last year.
“Despite current economic difficulties, retailers are continuing to work with their suppliers to meet tougher sustainability goals,” said BRC head of environment Bob Gordon. “This BRC assessment shows that the UK has the most progressive retail sector in the world and crucially that work with consumers and environmental groups is driving standards up.”
The UK retail industry also cut energy-related emissions by 23 per cent over the three-year period, while emissions from refrigeration were down by 37 per cent. The report also stressed the sector’s commitment to working with consumer groups to keep price volatility to a minimum.
Last week, the latest BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor stated that the number of people employed in the industry during the fourth quarter of last year was up 0.5 per cent from the same point in 2010.
